Texas soldier pledges to honor his brother

Juan Ramon "Jay" Gonzalez Jr. joined the Texas Army National Guard as an 18-year-old after graduating from Southwest High School, and soon after, completed basic training. This month, he begins five months of back-to-back training, starting with airborne school in Fort Benning, Ga., and then Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

When he returns home, he wants to apply for Army Ranger training.

 Gonzalez was inspired to enlist by his older brother, who always talked about joining the military but couldn't because of a heart condition. His brother committed suicide in 2009 at age 29, and Gonzalez enlisted to honor his brother's memory.

His family and friends tried to change his mind after he enlisted, but eventually, they accepted his choice.

"Who wants someone you love to be at war?" his cousin Vanessa Gonzalez asked.

Gonzalez said his mother is proud of him and would rather see him fight for his country than waste his life on the streets. He said he understands that the military is the backbone of the country and that his job makes him obligated to his state and nation.

He said he feels the military expects more out of its service members and understands that it will, and already has, changed him. He said he realized that the military has helped him treat others with patience and motivates him to become someone.

"You go to change, not to stay the same," Gonzalez said. "Being the same person whose questions could get you or others killed. Having the wrong mentality could wipe out the platoon by you messing up."

Gonzalez said he would represent the United States wherever he goes. He hopes the military will help him achieve his other goals for the future — he wants to enter college and either earn a degree in law enforcement or become a firefighter.